By Manas James
Health authorities in Nyirol County, Jonglei State, have recently identified three suspected cases of Guinea worm disease.
The cases were discovered among patients in the Cwil and Pulturuk areas, and investigations are currently underway.
James Bol Makuey, the Nyirol County Commissioner, expressed concerns about the potential spread of the disease throughout the county due to the lack of access to clean drinking water.
He believes that the number of infections will likely increase as a result.
“The Guinea worm department along with county surveillance officers has initiated the investigation, collecting samples for further analysis. Most of the cases were found in Weikuoth, a Boma of Pulturuk,” he said in an interview No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper.
Duop Rom Kok, the State Health Coordinator, also confirmed the reports of suspected cases and stated that epidemiological investigations are ongoing.
Guinea worm disease, scientifically known as Dracunculiasis, is caused by the parasite Dracunculus medinensis.
Symptoms of the infection include fever, diarrhea, itchy pains, swelling, and blisters at the site where the worm emerges.
Access to clean drinking water and isolating infected individuals from water sources are essential for controlling the spread of this parasitic disease.
South Sudan has seen a significant decline in Guinea worm disease cases in recent years.
Until 2018, only three cases had been reported, a stark decrease from the 20,581 cases registered over a decade earlier.